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Yes. I mean, I am generally skeptical about end-time predictions. And I hate doom n' gloom. But the other day a guy high on bathsalts ate the face off of a live homeless man under a bridge in Miami. The next day, a video of a Montreal gay porn star snuffing a Chinese exchange student was apparently available on some gore website after the victim's hands and feet were received via postal service at different locations (including the Canadian House of Parliament). The creativity and originality of evil things people can do to one another (and animals) seems to have peaked... at least, I hope so.

In other news, the entire financial system seems to be teetering near collapse, channeled aliens are all the rage, and the polar ice is melting faster than previously thought.

And the oceans are almost out of fish.

But this all keeps happening again and again. People always think their own times are the worst.

It may just be my 38 years as a protestant talking before becoming Orthodox, but I honestly do believe we are in the End Times or right on the edge. I really didn’t think we would make it this far. I did A LOT of study on this stuff as a Baptist and there are just too many things to ignore.

People have been saying just this since before Christ was born.

I know they have. Their mistake was attempting to place a specific time to it. But again, I can't say for certain. It's just what I think. Officially, the Orthodox Church, as far as I know, has no official opinion. I like that because it takes away the "fear factor" and puts focus on the "faith factor".

Yes. I mean, I am generally skeptical about end-time predictions. And I hate doom n' gloom. But the other day a guy high on bathsalts ate the face off of a live homeless man under a bridge in Miami. The next day, a video of a Montreal gay porn star snuffing a Chinese exchange student was apparently available on some gore website after the victim's hands and feet were received via postal service at different locations (including the Canadian House of Parliament). The creativity and originality of evil things people can do to one another (and animals) seems to have peaked... at least, I hope so.

In other news, the entire financial system seems to be teetering near collapse, channeled aliens are all the rage, and the polar ice is melting faster than previously thought.

Really, it's too easy to fall into the kooky trap of thinking anyone and everything is a sign that we are all doooooomed. Listen to that too much and you wind up watching John Hagee or standing out in a field with the Millerites. All of whom are, inevitably, wrong again and again.

Really, it's too easy to fall into the kooky trap of thinking anyone and everything is a sign that we are all doooooomed. Listen to that too much and you wind up watching John Hagee or standing out in a field with the Millerites. All of whom are, inevitably, wrong again and again.

I have no desire to do that.

Okay, so what would be the point in Christ or St. Paul giving us these warnings in the first place? The Millerites were only at fault for trying to guess a specific time for the end of the world, not for supposing it is right around the corner.

How do you know you're not completely wrong? In fact, the odds are that you are.

Jesus will get here when he gets here. It is not your job to tell Him when that should be.

Wow. Good thing Jesus Christ is not coming right now.What would be your reply if He read your post above?

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The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.

How do you know you're not completely wrong? In fact, the odds are that you are.

Jesus will get here when he gets here. It is not your job to tell Him when that should be.

Completely wrong about what...? Did I tell you a date?

Christ also mentioned something about a thief in the night. At my house, we keep our doors locked at all times, not just when we see a burglar strolling up the driveway (living next to Detroit, it would be dangerous to do otherwise).

Really, it's too easy to fall into the kooky trap of thinking anyone and everything is a sign that we are all doooooomed. Listen to that too much and you wind up watching John Hagee or standing out in a field with the Millerites. All of whom are, inevitably, wrong again and again.

I have no desire to do that.

Actually there have been lots of times that hasn't been true.

Read the little house on the prairie series of books (skip the 70's show if you want the real story). The family REJOICED over getting 1 orange to split. They were incredibly thankful over eating a "green pumkin pie" made from green pumpkins. The children were so happy to even get a small peppermint stick for Christmas. They lived in contentment.

There were many settlers and plain folks who weren't "loving" money. "The love of money is the root of evil".

They used money, and know they needed to work for the money, but they didn't love it (gathered from what I read).

Now go to youtube, and watch modern music videos (money always seems thrown around).... People LOVE it today more than ever.